How to Buy or Sell — Transportation

CARS, FULL SIZE The larger an antique, the harder it is to sell to an out-of-town customer. That is the general rule, but for cars the rule does not hold. A car in working condition can be driven or hauled to its new home with a minimum of problems. This means that antique and classic […]

How to Buy or Sell — Tools

A few tools hung on the wall as sculptural decorations are often seen in the decorating magazines and websites. Old tools can be sold to any friend or antiques dealer. There are also many serious tool collectors who specialize in one type of tool, such as wrenches or planes, or who have large general collections. […]

How to Buy or Sell — Writing Utensils

Pens, automatic pencils, ink bottles, inkwells, typewriters, and many other devices connected with writing are being collected. In the 1980s, early pens and the plastic-cased pens of the 1920s through the 1950s became of interest to collectors. Lewis Edson Waterman held multiple fountain pen patents, the first in 1884. The first ballpoint pen was patented […]

How to Buy or Sell — Miniatures and Dollhouses

There are many collectors of dollhouses and miniature dollhouse furniture. The older and more complete the dollhouse, the more valuable. There is also extra demand for wooden houses with lithographed paper exteriors made by BLISS. The name is often included on the dollhouse. Other important names are McLOUGHLIN BROTHERS, SCHOENHUT, TOOTSIE-TOY and some modern plastic […]

How to Buy or Sell — Autographs

Nineteenth-century autograph collectors wanted just the signatures of famous people. They cut names from the bottoms of letters or other documents, destroying much of their value. Today’s collector prefers the entire letter or document. Never cut out a signature! If you find old books, letters, deeds, or even scribbled notes signed by an author or […]

How to Buy or Sell — Celebrity Memorabilia

TV, RADIO, AND RECORDING STARS TV and radio materials are collected by fans and by those who are interested in old-time radio. Contact these collectors online, through the radio publications, at special shops and shows, or at the large flea markets. Star Trek fans have special shows each year and buy and sell old scripts, […]

How to Buy or Sell — Comic Art

Action Comics No. 1 was the first superhero comic. In June 1938, this comic book introduced Superman. A copy of the comic book sold for $3.2 million in 2014. A copy in lower condition sold in 2018 for $573,600. A copy of Marvel Comics No. 1, Oct.-Nov. 1939, in mint condition, sold in 1984 for […]

How to Buy or Sell — Holiday Collectibles

If your attic has been used for storage for the past 30 years or more, it probably holds some valuable holiday collectibles. Christmas ornaments, figural light bulbs, tree holders, cards, tinsel, Halloween papier-mâché pumpkins, skeletons, costumes, candy containers, even Fourth of July banners, lacy valentines, or fireworks package labels, are eagerly collected. The prices paid […]

How to Buy or Sell — Trunks

Nineteenth-century trunks sell to people who want to use them as tables or toy chests. All kinds sell—humpback, flat, leather-covered, or wooden. In bad condition, the price is low, but since many people want to restore the trunk as a do-it-yourself project, almost any trunk sells. In the 1990s old alligator doctor bags, twentieth-century hard-sided […]

How to Buy or Sell — Textiles

The women’s movement in the 1960s and 1970s sparked an interest in the craft work of women from past centuries. That seems to have started the amazing rise in the price of old quilts, woven coverlets, samplers, and other examples of feminine handiwork from the past. The “country” decorating magazines added to the interest, and […]